indenture
/ɪnˈdɛn.tʃər/
Definition
A form of binding, compulsory service or labor, often under a legal contract or status.
Etymology
Originating from the Old French 'indenture,' it relates to a contract written in duplicate on a single sheet of parchment that was then cut with a jagged (indented) edge to ensure authenticity. The term evolved to represent the legal agreement itself and, by extension, the state of forced service described in the text.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe how ancient combatants were forced into involuntary servitude after being captured. It highlights the historical reality of inhumane treatment that predates modern protections for prisoners of war.
Behind Enemy Lines: The Protection Gap Between POWs and Captured Nonstate Actors Under International Humanitarian Law
Read the full article ↗Opinio Juris